Courtesy PGA of BC

On Friday June 2nd Cec Ferguson passed away peacefully at home in the company of his three children, Tanya, Jason and Crystal, along with brothers Rob and Gary and sister-in-law Colleen.

He was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2016 and dealt with it as he dealt with everything in life; with dignity, perseverance and humour.

He recently enjoyed his 67th birthday with all of his extended family members, and over the past few months had a chance to visit with many old friends. Cec was well known for his golfing ability over a playing career that saw him represent Canada as an amateur, win the BC Open as an amateur and then compete professionally on the Canadian and Asian Tours back in the 1970’s.

In the late seventies he settled into the life of a Club Professional and then stepped in to Club management, but not before winning the Canadian PGA Club Professionals’ Championship in 1986.

He served the memberships of Regina GC and Quilchena G&CC as Head professional before serving as General Manager at Myrtle Point GC, Wascana G&CC, and Vernon G&CC. For 20 years Cec directed the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society tournament fundraiser in memory of his friend, Constable Bruce Denniston, who died before a successful bone marrow transplant donor could be found.

“The Denniston” was a popular event that attracted celebrities each year along with a host of amateurs who returned year after year to honour the memory of Bruce and raise funds and awareness of the need for the Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Cec Ferguson was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame of British Columbia in 2011.

His last career was the one he might have enjoyed the most – Coach driver for International Stage Lines. He looked forward to being on the road in his 50 passenger coach and entertaining his passengers along the way. Cec had the ability to analyze situations and find a way to achieve a positive outcome, and make and keep friends along the way.

He will be missed, but never forgotten.

A celebration of life for Cec Ferguson will be held 1 p.m. Friday, June 23rd at University Golf Club in Vancouver. 

Messages for the family can be relayed through:

Barrie McWha barriemcwha@gmail.com

Rick Soutar rsoutar@telus.net

The Back-To-Back Canadian University/College Women's Champion UBC Thunderbirds And Coach Chris MacDonald - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

T’Birds Kat Kennedy And Evan Holmes Earn Medallist Honours

Courtesy Golf Canada

​BARRIE, Ont. – Kat Kennedy went wire-to-wire to lead the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship, while Baptiste Mory helped the Université Laval Rouge et Or hold on to win the men’s division at Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club on Thursday.

As part of the celebration that is International Women's Golf Day on June 6th, the Richmond Country Club and Victoria Golf Club are both hosting events and inviting all interested women to take part in the day's festivities. 

The focus of Women's Golf Day is essentially socializing, networking and distribution of information regarding lessons, league play, ways to get involved in golf.

Anyone wishing to participate should contact either of these two facilities before Tuesday June 6th in order to register and find out further information. 

Victoria, BC's Jeevan Sihota Hasn't Cracked The Canadian Men's Amateur Top 10 List Yet. But If He Keeps Having Weeks Like The Last Two, It Won't Be Long - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKam Photos)/British Columbia Golf

This week's Top 10 list only reflects a few notable changes but there were some rather significant moves by players vying to get on that list, including Victoria's Jeevan Sihota who is 'quietly' becoming one of the players to watch in British Columbia and the rest of Canada at the ripe-old age of 13.

The much anticipated start of British Columbia Golf's 'Get Out And Play' program launches this Sunday commensurate with Golf Canada's 'Get Out And Golf Day' celebration. 

The goal is to see 150,000 British Columbians partake in 1.5 million golf activities in a span of 150 days beginning on May 28th. As of right now, the Golf Activities Centre is up and running on the Golf Canada site and we will begin officially 'counting activities' beginning this Sunday, the 28th.

It's a simple process to become involved and help reach this goal as we help celebrate Canada's 150th in a fun, healthy and inclusive enviroment.

Canada’s Top-Ranked Amateur, Jared du Toit, Is Expected To Wave Good-Bye To His Amateur Career And Turn Pro After The NCAA Championships - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Jared du Toit calls the feeling bittersweet. He is excited about what lies ahead, but also a bit sad about what he is leaving behind.

Du Toit, Canada’s top-ranked amateur golfer, is preparing to play his final collegiate event for his Arizona State University Sun Devils and acknowledged in a telephone interview that he has been doing a lot of thinking in recent days.

Kat Kennedy And Her UBC T'Birds Women's Golf Team Have Come Together Quite Nicely As A Team Heading Into The NAIA Women's Golf National Championships - Image Courtesy UBC Athletics

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Kat Kennedy wanted to make her final year of collegiate golf a memorable one. So far, so good. Kennedy, a 22-year-old senior with the University of British Columbia’s women’s golf team, has won five individual titles this season for the Thunderbirds and is ranked by Golfstat as the top player in the NAIA.

What she is most interested in now is a team title at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships, which begin Tuesday at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Golf Canada's Newest CEO Is Laurence Applebaum. He Has 20 Years Of Sports Business Experience - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Golf Canada has reached into the world of women’s tennis to find its new chief executive officer.

Laurence Applebaum, who has spent the past five years as executive vice president of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association, was introduced as Golf Canada’s new boss at a news conference Tuesday morning in Oakville, Ont.

He succeeds Scott Simmons, who resigned in November after leading Golf Canada for 10 years. Applebaum will begin his new duties on July 10.

Toronto Native And Global Sports Executive Laurence Applebaum Is To Assume Duties Leading Canadian Golf’s National Sport Federation And Governing Body On July 10, 2017 - Golf Canada Image

For Immediate Release

May 16, 2017 - OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — Following a comprehensive search, Golf Canada has announced the appointment of Laurence Applebaum as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Applebaum, most recently the Executive Vice President of the Florida-based Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will assume his new role as of July 10, 2017.

The 2017 season opening Golf Canada Future Links Championship is the Pacific Championship taking place at the Chilliwack Golf Club in British Columbia's picturesque Fraser Valley.

For live tournament scoring please CLICK HERE

For round one recap CLICK HERE

For round two recap CLICK HERE

For final round recap CLICK HERE - Boys

                               CLICK HERE - Girls

Junior Tournament To Kick Off Golf Canada’s 2017 Championship Season At Picturesque Chilliwack Golf Club. Shown Here Is Hole 12 - Image Courtesy Chilliwack GC

​CHILLIWACK, B.C. – Golf Canada’s first junior golf championship of 2017 is set to take place this week as the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship gets underway at Chilliwack Golf Clubin Chilliwack, B.C., from May 12-14.

With support from British Columbia Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship is the first of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 11 before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 12.

Victoria's Nolan Thoroughgood Is Looking Forward To 'Redeeming' Himself At Chilliwack Golf Club In This Week's Future Links Pacific Championship - Image Credit Bryan Outram/British Columbia Golf

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf  

Nolan Thoroughgood feels like he has a score to settle with Chilliwack Golf Club.

Thoroughgood is the Victoria teen who made history when he won last July’s B.C. Amateur Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach as a 15-year-old. About a month later, he didn’t have the same kind of success at Chilliwack Golf Club during the B.C. Juvenile Boys Championship.  

Thoroughgood didn’t play terribly -- he tied for sixth place -- but he learned what so many others have about Chilliwack Golf Club, which plays host to this weekend’s Future Links Pacific Championship: It’s tougher than it looks.

The R&A Has Entered AThree-Year Agreement To Support Future Links, Driven By Acura As Part Of A Global Investment In 'Good For The Game' Initiatives - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — Golf Canada is proud to announce that The R&A has become a supporting partner in Future Links, driven by Acura, Canada’s national junior golf program.

The decision to align with Canada’s national junior golf program was led by The R&A’s Golf Development Committee, a group that assesses applications and requests from the 152 worldwide affiliates of The R&A, including Golf Canada, and whose mandate is to support what is good for golf.

courtesy Golf Canada

The USGA and The R&A have issued a new Decision on the Rules of Golf to limit the use of video evidence in the game, effective immediately.

The two organizations have also established a working group of LPGA, PGA TOUR, PGA European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to immediately begin a comprehensive review of broader video issues, including viewer call-ins, which arise in televised competitions.

Women’s Golf Day is a one day event taking place on the 'Same Day Everywhere Around the World' June 6, 2017, celebrating girls and women playing golf and learning the skills that last a lifetime.

It's a collaborative effort by a dedicated team, golf management companies, retailers and organizations all working together to engage, empower and support girls and women through golf.

The four hour experience allows a simple and accessible platform to build a foundation and creates a network to support the continuation of golf no matter what skill level or interest.

Vancouver's Stuart Macdonald (R) And Victoria's Lawren Rowe (L) Represented British Columbia Golf In Fine Fashion Winning The Team Title And Coming In 1st And 3rd Individually - Image Courtesy Golf Canada

British Columbia’s Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver) and Lawren Rowe (Victoria) teamed up to secure a five-stroke victory on Saturday at the Lima Golf Club en route to capturing the Peruvian International Amateur Championship - The XXIX Campeonato Internacional De Afficionados - and with it the prestigious Manuel Prado Cup.

By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

Matt Cella, who has been appointed Team B.C.’s head golf coach for the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, knows the bar has been set awfully high for him.

After all, British Columbia has swept the individual and team competitions in the two Canada Summer Games where golf has been contested. Golf was first played at the Canada Summer Games in 2009 in Prince Edward Island, where North Vancouver’s Eugene Wong and Sue Kim of Langley won individual gold medals and B.C. swept the team titles.

Four years later in Sherbrooke, Que., Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows and Taylor Kim of Surrey won gold and B.C. again took home gold in the boys’ and girls’ team competition.

image courtesy pixabay

(19 April 2017), Far Hills, USA and St Andrews, Scotland: The USGA and The R&A are working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System for the sport.

More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a reference to gauge a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.

Courtesy Golf Canada

The most reliable rankings in golf are based on merit—best on best athletes competing over the course of a season offers a definitive snapshot of performance consistency.

With that in mind, Canadian golf’s Order of Merit will be getting an overhaul beginning in 2017. Golf Canada set out to enhance Canada’s National Golf Ranking System to improve the accuracy of the rankings used to evaluate player performance at all levels of competition.

Coquitlam, B.C.'s Jisoo Keel Has Jumped 441 Places In The Women's World Amateur Rankings Over The Last 5 Weeks - Image Credit Jurgen Kaminski (JKamPhotos)/ British Columbia Golf

courtesy Golf Canada

Canada's Weekly Top 10 Rankings once more has its fair share of players from British Columbia with two of them making big moves in their respective categories. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., jumped 24 places in the world rankings to sit in the number 5 spot for male professionals in the country while his Ledgeview Golf Club mate Adam Hadwin continues to be Canada's top ranked male pro at number 46 in the world.

Vancouver's Stuart Macdonald leapt 65 spots in the world ranking for amateur men while Kimberley's Jared du Toit remains as the top male amateur in Canada at number 13 in the WAGR. On the women's side, Coquitlam, B.C.'s Jisoo Keel has jumped back into the mix in a big way after taking time off from collegiate golf to the point where she's climbed 441 places in the world rankings over the last 5 weeks.